[twooldgoats]

By popular demand (actually, 60man asked to see some pictures ), I thought I'd start a thread on the progress on my '60 Cat (now that there is some progress). I bought the car out of Reno, NV a couple of years back and I work on it as I get a chance. My plan is to build a mild custom similar to the style of the '60's which my wife Ellen can also race from time to time. Since I've started, I've used my MIG welder to patch a few rust areas and fill in the back-up light areas. I removed the Pontiac letters front and back and removed the chrome trim pieces that ran along the upper rear quarters and surrounded the taillights. I've replaced all that with sheet metal patch pieces. I also removed the door handles, but I got a little ahead of myself there: if Ellen is going to race the car, I need to put them back on, so that's what I'll do.

Paul Carter of Koerner Race Engines is doing the engine. We're using the original '60 block (they're noted for their strength) but we're updating it with a forged stroker crank, some old Edelbrock heads I had around, an aluminum '66 tripower intake and carbs I got off eBay and a set of Ram Air Restorations long branch round port headers. I bought an adapter kit to bolt the '60 block to a TH400, so I'll have to modify the rear trans mount and shorten the front half of the driveshaft. For now, I'll use the original open rear end, but the eventual plan is to go to a posi unit.

Jim

[twooldgoats]

This is the dash area (pardon the Bondo dust). I took out the radio and filled all unnecessary holes to continue the theme of simplifying the appearance and emphasizing the original lines. I plan to have a metallic red interior. I'll probably go to a floor shift conversion for the TH400 to simplify the linkage set-up and eliminate the column shifter. Current plans call for a heater and no AC to keep the car light and simpler.

Jim

[twooldgoats]

I replaced all the original brake lines, wheel cylinders, and brake linings and went to a dual master cylinder. I added a line loc also for Ellen's racing purposes while I was at it. I'm using a set of eight-lug wheels and drums I got off eBay which I am hoping have enough meat left on them to work. I've got the brake system all sealed up, but I haven't added fluid yet. I'll deal with that headache when I'm closer to getting it done.

Above the master cylinder, you can see the original factory CC paint color code on the firewall. I plan to keep it Cameo Ivory (or whatever they called it in 1960), but I may pearl it or add flames. The light color is the only way to go out here in AZ if you plan to do any driving in the summer without AC.

Jim

[twooldgoats]

Here's the finished trunk area, complete with new spare tire and eight lug wheel. I probably should have waited on the tires, but sometimes you just need to see some big change for the better. I bought a trunk patch panel on eBay and welded it in. The trunk floor was almost completely rusted away, but, fortunately, the braces were OK. The trunk was the only area of the car that had major rust. It looked when I got it like the car had been sitting in the Nevada high desert sun forever. The interior was baked away, but the body panels were pretty good. Unfortunately, someone had stripped out the whole under dash and engine wiring harness, including the fuse panel, so I decided to replace it all with a Painless wiring kit. I bought the kit, but I haven't started putting in it yet.

Jim

[twooldgoats]

This is what I'm doing to the rear end to simplify the lines: back-up lights eliminated, Pontiac letters eliminated and the chrome pieces along the rear quarter and around the taillights eliminated. The taillight trim I replaced with 5" diesel truck exhaust pipes and some round wire hoops to form the taillight openings. I made patch panels to replace the back-up light housings and welded up the holes for the letters. I'm currently doing the Bondo work to finish off the welded areas.

Jim

[twooldgoats]

I modified the front core support and radiator mount area by widening it a few inches to accept a standard '66 GTO aluminum radiator I got off eBay. I'm also using a '66 timing cover and tripower unit. By sticking to one year, I figure it'll be easier to mount an alternator, PS and the various pulleys and hoses I'll need.

Jim

[keith k]

Neat project. I love the "jet fighter" inspired taillamp look of these cars.

[twooldgoats]

Originally Posted by keith k

..... I love the "jet fighter" inspired taillamp look of these cars.

Me too. It's why I converted my racecar from a LeMans to a Tempest---those quad taillights.

Jim

[U47]

One thing about custom's is there are no rules.
check out a 59;http://www.streetsideclassics.com/sc...pg&w=400&h=300
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1311265952

[twooldgoats]

Originally Posted by U47

One thing about custom's is there are no rules.
check out a 59;http://www.streetsideclassics.com/sc...pg&w=400&h=300
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1311265952

It does look like the whole '59 instrument pod would fit right in.

I disagree about no rules for customs, though. If you look at old customs, most went for a certain "look" and the nicest looking cars, in my opinion, were the ones that maintained most of the styling cues for the way that particular model was usually customized. While there were always guys that didn't follow any rules, their cars usually didn't turn out as well.

I read all the books I can get my hands on when I'm interested in something and over time I noticed that you just don't see older parts on newer cars. I'm sure there were some exceptions, but they're rare. Take '39 Ford taillights: they're all over earlier year hot rods, but you'd never see them on a later car. Also, I customized a '41 Ford coupe years ago and I noticed that most '41's were customized using the later '46-'48-style horizontal grilles. Also, a lot of guys who customized Fords used parts from more expensive cars, like Lincolns and Cadillacs. I figured that most customs were made in an attempt to make the car appear more modern or more expensive than "just another old Ford". Anyway, that's my take on it.

Jim

[60man]

Thanks for posting the pics Jim.. Car is looking good. Always wondered about doing away with the top crown molding on rear quarters...looks cool..As the story goes Pontiac designers changed design of 59 car for 60 model to mimic a Geogre Barris custom look...like the tube grille look and lots of body lines. Only year Pontiac didn't use a split grille which 59 started the trend. I hate head knockers... I had three 61's..
On trans....It's not hard to use column shifter. Mine was a column shifted TH400 when I bought it. If you go with buckets I think a floor shifter would be the way to go...IMO Keep pics up if you have the time..
Troy

[MOJO Catalina]

I found this video for you. The guy has a similar rear quarter treatment to what looks like you're going for:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNwEc...eature=related

Crappy Hard core music and I think that's a small block Chevy engine (P-Ewww) but you get the idea..

[twooldgoats]

He eliminated the back-up lights like I did, but it looks like he kept the chrome trim along the top of the rear quarter. I like the "rocket" taillights. I got a set of skirts with the car, but I prolly won't use them. The car has to be REAL low for them to look right. Besides, I want to show off the 8-lugs.

I'm bringing the engine home from the machine shop this coming week and the TH400 and torque converter will arrive from Hughes as well. Then, I get to bolt on the Wilcap adaptor plate and see if I can get the trans all sorted out. After that, I'll drop it in in one piece and see how much I have to add to the trans crossmember to mount the TH400. Getting the engine and trans in will be a big step and a big motivator to get serious about the body work and paint again.

Jim

[Steve Barcak]

Glad you are making progress with the 60 Jim. Lookin good, keep us posted.

[marks73ta]

Hey Jim, I love the '60. I saw your block at Pauls last time I was down there. Paul is impressed with the thickness of those blocks. Keep the build going. Still wished I was building a '60 versus the '63. Mark L

[Gas455]

This is the back of mine.



Also...being the Canadian/Australian model...
It has the 59/60 Chev Dash in it...which I reckon is much sexier.
If I bought a USA version...I would do the conversion in a heart beat.

I bought some 59 Caddy tail lights for mine about 10 years ago...but they haven't made it onto the car.

This is Lance's car...hard to tell in the pics...but he has the chrome moulds removed along the fins.

[twooldgoats]

They're both beautiful! What kind of suspension mods do they have to get them so low? I've been thinking about pearl paint on mine or flames. Will probably just paint it the Cameo Ivory first, then add flames later. One step at a time. I need to get it on the road.

Jim

[MOJO Catalina]

Very cool '60's boys..

Check out what this guy did:




A bit different but I frikken love it!

[twooldgoats]

Originally Posted by MOJO Catalina

Very cool '60's boys..

Check out what this guy did:




A bit different but I frikken love it!

I couldn't do without the quad taillights, though. IMO, they're one of the defining elements of a '60 and my favorite styling feature. Like I said above, I changed my '63 LeMans into a Tempest, because I like the quad taillights.

Jim

[Gas455]

Originally Posted by twooldgoats

They're both beautiful! What kind of suspension mods do they have to get them so low? I've been thinking about pearl paint on mine or flames. Will probably just paint it the Cameo Ivory first, then add flames later. One step at a time. I need to get it on the road.

Jim

Mine is riding on the bump stops...has been that way for the 13 years that I have owned it...don't think the springs or shocks have moved. When driving the car....you bounce around like a mexican jumping bean.
Next year...I will be raising the car up a little to get a better ride...and maybe a better weight transfer at the track. I love them low...but want a better ride quality. My Caddy is dropped low aswell.

I have gone through quite a few mufflers...wearing them out. I now have scrape/scrub plates welded to them to prolong their life.